Rugged Ridgeline Reimagined
Honda Confirms More Rugged Third-Generation Ridgeline Targeting 2028 Debut
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Key Points
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Debut timing varies by source: Road & Track targets 2028 for the new Ridgeline, CarBuzz projects a 2029 model, while Honda states it will arrive within two years (effectively 2028).
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Honda officials emphasize the next Ridgeline will advance its legacy with a more rugged design and capabilities, with Lance Woelfer stating the model will gain “even more rugged design and capabilities” while continuing to be built in Alabama.
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Ridgeline’s sales context shows it is a key conquest vehicle for Honda in the US, with about 52,000 units sold in 2023 and roughly 48,000 in the most recent year cited, underscoring its place in a competitive midsize-truck market.
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The next Ridgeline will be designed in Southern California, engineered in Ohio, and produced at Honda’s Alabama plant, and it is expected to continue using the Pilot/Passport platform
Honda is killing the current Ridgeline and building a tougher, more rugged version from scratch. Honda News confirmed the third-generation Ridgeline will arrive within two years, putting the debut around 2028. Production of today's model will pause later this year as Honda retools its Alabama plant for the next truck.
The move signals a big shift for Honda's only pickup. The new Ridgeline will chase traditional truck buyers with a bolder look and stronger capabilities — a direct shot at rivals like the Toyota Tacoma, according to CarBuzz.
Honda Pauses Ridgeline Output for Full Redesign
Honda will stop building the current Ridgeline at its Lincoln, Alabama plant later this year. The shutdown is needed to retool the factory for the new model, Blaze Trends reported. It is a major step — Honda is not just refreshing the truck. It is starting over with a completely new design.
Motor Illustrated reported the new Ridgeline will launch before July 2028. CarBuzz projects a 2029 model year. Either way, Honda is moving fast. The company says the gap between the old and new truck will be as short as possible to keep buyers from walking to a competitor's lot.
Rugged New Look Built to Win Over Truck Fans
Honda is leaning hard into toughness with the next Ridgeline. Honda executive Lance Woelfer said the new model will bring "even more rugged design and capabilities" to the lineup. That is a clear message: Honda wants buyers who currently skip the Ridgeline because it looks too car-like.
The new truck will still use a unibody frame — the same bones shared with the Pilot and Passport SUVs. But the styling is expected to look far more like a traditional body-on-frame truck. Design work is happening in Southern California, engineering in Ohio, and production stays in Alabama, Honda News Canada confirmed.
Ridgeline Sales Show Why Honda Can't Afford to Slip
The Ridgeline is not a niche product for Honda. The truck sold about 52,000 units in 2023 and roughly 48,000 in the most recent year reported. Those numbers make it a key conquest vehicle — meaning it pulls buyers away from other brands and into Honda showrooms for the first time.
The midsize truck market is fierce. The Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado all compete for the same buyers. Honda's bet is that a tougher-looking Ridgeline can steal more of that market. A pause in production carries risk, but Honda sees the redesign as worth it.
Alabama Plant Stays Central to Honda's Truck Future
Honda has made clear the Ridgeline's American roots are not going anywhere. The Alabama plant will continue to build the truck after the retooling is complete. That matters now more than ever, as automakers face pressure over where they build vehicles and what tariffs they might face.
The full development team spans two US states and one design hub. Engineers in Ohio handle the mechanical work. Designers in Southern California shape the look. And Alabama builds it. Honda says this setup lets it fine-tune the Ridgeline to meet emissions rules and buyer demands at the same time, per Honda News Canada.
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